California Schoolhouse for $500 



OUTDOOR SCHOOLHOUSES AT FRESNO 




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ISSUED BY 

EDWARD HYATT 



Superintendentjof Public Instruction 



Printed at State Printing Office, Friend Wm. Richardson, Superintendent. 



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This is the sixth of a series of leaflets on Health Conservation authorised by the 
legislature of 1911 at the request of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of the 
State of California, under the auspices of Mrs. Sara J. Dorr, the president, and Miss 
Anna E. Chase, the secretary. It is, therefore, appreciatively inscribed to the good 
women of that organization, those who never weary in well doing, and who make such 
a powerful influence for good in every corner of our commonwealth. 



D. of D. 
NOV 27 19161 






A SCHOOLHOUSE FOR $500. 



To the School Trustees of California: 

Ladies and GkntlemKn : We have frccjucnt rcciucj^ts for informa- 
tion about outdoor schoolhouses, overflow schoolhouses, temporary 
schoolhouses. portable schoolliouses, which can be constructed at 
moderate cost. Consequently 1 have been looking- at this class of build- 
ings up and down the State with curious interest for some time i^ast. 
Oakland has some line examples ; San Diego has an excellent ])lan ; and 
other cities have various expedients ; but I was so particularly struck 
with the beauty and the utility and the low price of the Fresno idea that 
it seemed worth while to reproduce it on paper in this way so that you 
can all see it and consider it and have it in mind against a time of need 

This Fresno plan was originated by Superintendent McLane of that 
city, working with Dr. Snyder, of the Fresno Normal School. They 
have worked the whole idea out in a practical way, and have used it 
many times in building overflow rooms, for their city schools ; and it is 
now being used in constructing the numerous temporary class rooms of 
the State Normal School. In actual practice at Fresno its cost com- 
plete is a trifle under $500. It can be built by any carpenter or handy 
mechanic. 

In appearance, the building is tasteful and beautiful. It has no glass 
windows; yet the light through the canvas panels is more perfect and 
more agreeable than in any other building. It has only one door. It is 
heated by a little air-tight stove. It is so perfectly ventilated that the 
teachers and the children very much prefer it to any other. Garlic, as 
a staple article of diet, loses all terrors. The deadly schoolroom smeli 
disappears. It is more completely an outdoor school than any other 
device I have seen. With the awnings raised, it is a beautiful place, 
lull of the light, the air, the soft breezes, the swaying brandies, the 
freedom of all outdoors. 

Naturally, canvas and screen wire are not as solid and permanent as 
brick and mortar; yet, the frame, floor and roof being substantial, the 
canvas tight-stretched and the screening well put on, the biu'lding will 
give service for a number of years. It seems to afford all desirable pro- 
tection against both wind and rain. In our California climate, it is much 
more wholesome in every way for the children than the proudest struc- 
ture in the State. 

I would not discourage any community from constructing a splendid 
modern school for its young people, the best it can afford. Yet, it is 
well to remember that the very best schoolhouses in the land are hope- 
lessly out of date, inadequate, ill adapted to their purpose as soon as 



they are twenty years old. The future will doubtless see changes no 
less than the past. In many cases it might be well to use these hygienic, 
low cost, temporary houses, replacing them when necessary, and chang- 
ing them as our knowledge of schoolhouse construction advances. 

Naturally a large school, having library, auditorium, laboratories and 
the like needs more than these outdoor class rooms alone. State Archi- 
tect Woollett has made a study for a roomy administration building at 
the center of a quadrangle of class rooms, which may be changed or 
added to at will. This of course is only a suggestion, for thought and 
discussion. It would be possible, too, to have a handsome permanent 
central building of brick or cement, with as many of the outdoor 
rooms as might be needed. 

I am sure that the school trustees of the State will find in the following 
pages some things to look at, talk over, and think about. Their think- 
ing will do the State good. Their ideas about the building of school- 
houses are very important to the welfare of the commonwealth. 

Very truly yours, 

EDWARD HYATT, 
Superintendent Public Instruction. 




Interior of Outdoor School. Observe that the children are living in the free ovitdoors, 
where they can feel the breeze and hear the birds and see the swaying trees. The 
ceiling and woodwork are in natural wood, giving a cheerful, well lighted effect. In cdM 
or wet weather or in high winds, the awnings are fastened down and a fire is built in 
the stove. 

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In constructing' these buildings the greatest economy consistent with 
utility has been practiced. With these restrictions in mind they have 
been constructed in such a manner as to secure the maximum amount of 
air and light, protection from flies and likewise protection from excessive 




Rear and Side \'ie\v of ( )nldoor School, Showing Awnings Open to the ( )utsi(lc Air. 
Screen wire under the awnings keeps out the flies. 

heat and cold. The awnings have been constructed so as to provide for 
proper ventilation when the buildings are closed in excessive rough or 
cold weather. The buildings themselves have also been constructed in 
such a manner as to make them readily portable. 

Economy of construction will largely govern for any given community 
the kind of lumber used for construction. A light material for the 




Rear and Side N'icw of (_)ii|(lo(]r Scliool, Showing' Awnings Down Ko.nly fur Slonn. 
Tliere is no glass at all in the building, but it is perfectly lighted through these canvas 
awnings, and perfectly ventilated, loo. 

(3) 



ceiling' and for the screen separating the cloak room from the main 
room is preferable on account of the effect upon the light. In case a 
dark wood such as redwood is used it will be necessary to paint the 
interior. The color of such paint should be deep cream, yellowish 





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Front \'iew of Outdoor School. The outside, double doors open into the cloakroom, and 
the cloakroom opens into the schoolroom. There is only the one outside opening. 

bronze, or a very light tan. However, it will probably be found that 
the use of a dark wood and paint in the interior will be more expensive 
and will give less attractive results than the use of a light wood with a 
natural finish. In the Fresno buildings boiled linseed oil has been used 
for the entire interior including the floor. The frames of the awnings 
and doors have also been treated in the same manner while the outside of 
the baluster has been stained to produce a little darker shade. 




Interior View of Outdoor School, Showing Screens and Stove. The teacher's black- 
board is against the partition between cloakroom and schoolroom. This partition extends 
only i)art way to the ceiling and permits a free circulation of air. 



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Front View of Outdoor School, Showing Awnings Partly Raised. The awnings are 
adjusted to any angle by cords attached to the iong rafters, thus controlling the direct 
sunlight. The house has a good floor and roof. It is beautiful to look at. The walls 
are solid up to the blackboard. Above, they are screened everywhere and protected by 
wooden frames covered with tightly stretched canvas. 

Ztemized Invoice of Materials and Their Uses, Together with Cost of 

Structure. 

Rough Redwood. Framings No. i. Coiiniioii. 

5 pieces 4x4x18 , , , -,, 
p . A A 1^ Mudsills. 

5 pieces 4x4x16 

4 pieces 2 x6 x 16 

2 pieces 2x6x12 Water-lal)le and Baseboard. 

2 pieces 2 x6 x 10 

Rough Framing Material — A'o. /. Coiiiir.oii. 
24 pieces 2x6x22. Lower joists. 
4 pieces 2x6x16. Box joints. 

15 pieces 2x4x22. Upper joists. 

2 pieces 3x4x22. Upper joists — ends building. 

7 pieces 3x4x14. End rafters and trusses. 

16 pieces 2x4x16. Extending rafters. 
14 pieces 2x4x14. Rafters. 

24 pieces 1x4x16. Trussing rafters and attic lattice. 

Common Fir or Mountain Pine — Siced. 
54 pieces 1x12x12. Sheeting. 
27 pieces 1 x 12 x 14. Sheeting. 

Flooring No. 2. Oregon Pine. 
80 pieces 1 x4 x 14. 
SO pieces 1 x4xl8. 

Ceiling No. 2. 
■850 board feet, % x 4. 

Mountain Pine — Select Common — S4S. 
32 pieces 4x4x12. Studs, plates, stringers. 
2 pieces 4x4x14. Plates. 

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2 pieces 4x4x22. Plates. 
2 pieces 2x4x12. Braces. 

2 pieces 1 x6x 12. Braces. 
32 pieces 1 x 12 x 16. Baluster. 

10 pieces 1x12x18. Screen — Cloak room. "^ 

4 pieces 1 x 8x16. Fascia. 

Clear Sugar Pine — 5 4 S. 
50 linear feet 1x1^ 
700 linear feet lx2s Awning frames. 
170 linear feet 1x4) 
700 linear feet J4 x n 
1500 linear feet J^x2y Screen and awning molding, and batting. 
450 linear feet H x4) 

102 linear feet 2x3. Chalk trough. See Detail Drawing II. 
2 134 inches X 2 feet x 6 feet 8 inches. Panel doors. 

No. 2. Clear Mountain Pine. 
168 linear feet 2x4. Baluster rail. See Detail Drawing II. 
160 linear feet 1^x2. Triangular Molding. 
200 linear feet Yz x Y^. Quarter Round. 

Cost of Lumber and Milling $ 215 00 

Hardware. 

Galvanized Fly Screen. 
42 inches wides — 124 feet. For sides of building. 

28 inches wide — 88 feet. J _, , ,,.,,. 

o^. , ., ,.^^yror ends of builduig. 

26 mches wide — 44 feet. \ 

3/16-inch cotton rope — 1150 feet. For awnings. 

Side Pulleys, 14. ) t^ , 

• , T, 11 ■^, y tor above rope. 
bwivel Pulleys with screw eyes. I 

Eye bolts, 48. For fastening ropes to awnings. 

2 inches x 3 inches butt hinges, 27 pair. For swinging awnings. 

Line Cleats, 32. For fastening ropes inside building. 

Chief Shelby double acting floor hinges, 2 sets 

Door Slide bolt, top 1 ^ 

Door slide bolt^ bottom 1 \ For outside door. 

Dead lock, no knob, 1 S 

No. 6 wire tacks, 2 pounds. 

3 penny shingle nails, 5 pounds. 
10 penny box nails, 20 pounds. 

5 penny finishing nails, 3 pounds. 
30 penny spikes, 10 pounds. 

Cost of hardware $52 00 

8-ounce canvas, 83 inches wide, 108 feet long, for awnings, cost 15 00 

1 ply red ring roofing, 11 squares, cost 16 00 

Hyloplate. 
4 pieces 4 feet x 10 feet. To be cut into 30 inch lengths. 

1 piece 3 feet x 12 feet ; « , , , 

1 . or, ^ r } ^ eacher s board. 

1 piece 3 feet x 6 feet \ 

Cost 42 80 

Boiled linseed oil and color 13 50 

Cost of labor complete 152 50 

Total cost of structure $506 80 

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Plate I. 
Four) dafior) Plan Showiiig Position of ilo/sfs 



and M ud sills. 



Scale 



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[Supplies] 



defaihShow'inq Pos'ition Of 6fuds 



Cloak 
Room 



Cloak 
floom 



Wood Box 




Stud 
Baluster Rail 



Detail Showing 

Foundafion^Floor, 

and 

Balvsier 

ConsfTvction 



Edge of Black- 

Board. ^, ,, 
Chalk - 

Trough. 

t dge ef 
Panel 



;■. ■. '»»»I»UJ1« ll'in 



doiit 

BoxJoiii- 



Plate Z. 
Cross Section Just Above The Floor. 



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Plate J, 
Front elevation primor)/ school building showing framework 
without screens or awnings. Rear elevation same except centra! 
panel which is same as others. Rise of roof S. toll. 

Scale '//=/-(?" 



Detail ShoKinqnafter^csf-finJ 




prate 4- 



S'lde elevation of primary sctiool building stiowing frame 
without screens or awnings. Four sections tiaye been 
omitted from this drawinq 



Scalei' I 



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A LARGER OUTDOOR SCHOOL. 

Here is the state architect's idea of a larger and more comprehensive outdoor school, based 
on the Fresno plan. It consists of six classrooms and a central administrative building with 
an auditorium. Its cost is estimated from $6,000 to $10,000. The central building might be 
made of permanent materials, at an increased cost, of course. 










N. B. — The state architect, Mr. J. B. Woollett, has prepared a large sheet of 
detailed plans, for the one-room outdoor school, suitable for a mechanic to use in 
constructing- the building. Anyone desiring a copy can have it by applying to either 
the State Architect or the Superintendent of Public Instruction, enclosing 25 cents 
to pay for the expense of a blue print. Any handy carpenter can do the job. 



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